Food & Cooking Recipes Appetizers Finger Food Recipes Puff-Pastry Cheese Straws Be the first to rate & review! By Martha Stewart Test Kitchen Martha Stewart Test Kitchen The recipes developed by our test kitchen team have undergone a rigorous process of development and testing, ensuring that every element is optimal, from ingredient amounts to method and cooking time. This process includes triple-testing recipes to ensure they meet our high standards. The many stellar cooks and food editors who have been part of our team include Sarah Carey, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Jennifer Aaronson, Shira Bocar, Anna Kovel, Greg Lofts, Riley Wofford, Lauren Tyrell, and Lindsay Leopold. Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 12, 2017 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: David Malosh Prep Time: 45 mins Total Time: 1 hrs 35 mins Yield: 30 Whenever possible, use all-butter puff pastry, such as Trader Joe's or Dufour, for the best flavor and texture. For even thawing, let it sit in the refrigerator overnight, rather than on the counter, which can cause the pastry to become sticky and difficult to work with. This recipe is adapted from Martha Stewart's Appetizers. Ingredients 1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (about 4 ounces) ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, preferably all-butter, thawed All-purpose flour, for dusting 2 large eggs, lightly beaten Directions Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine cheese and cayenne in a bowl. Lay each puff-pastry sheet flat on a lightly floured work surface. Roll out two 11-by-16-inch rectangles. Dividing evenly, brush with some of beaten eggs and sprinkle with cheese mixture. Using a pastry cutter or sharp paring knife, trim long ends to make even, then cut each rectangle crosswise into fifteen 1/2-inch-wide strips. Working with one at a time, twist each strip into a spiral and transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets, 1 inch apart. Using your thumb, press ends of strips onto parchment to prevent unraveling during baking. Chill until firm, at least 30 minutes. Bake until pastry is golden, rotating sheets halfway through, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets on wire racks before serving or storing. Variations Sesame-PoppyCombine 2 tablespoons each sesame seeds and poppy seeds with 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt in a bowl. Sprinkle on pastry strips instead of cheese-cayenne mixture.Tomato-RosemaryOmit egg wash and cheese-cayenne mixture. Combine 3 tablespoons tomato paste and 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in a bowl. Brush evenly on pastry strips, then sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary.Pecorino-Black PepperReplace Parmigiano-Reggiano with an equal amount of Pecorino Romano, and cayenne pepper with freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle mixture on pastry strips. Rate it Print